By Nigel Duara, Los Angeles Times American Lands Council promises cash-strapped Western communities a chance to win back federal acreage Utah has passed legislation demanding return of all federal land; experts say it will never happen Proponent sums up Western land transfer movement: ‘It’s the principle’ Spread over 6,500 miles of sparse scrub and alkaline […]
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By Darryl Fears, Washington Post For the giant kangaroo rat, death by nature is normally swift and dramatic: a hopeless dash for safety followed by a blood-curdling squeak as their bellies are torn open by eagles, foxes, bobcats and owls. They’re not supposed to die the way they are today — emaciated and starved, their […]
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By Susan Wood With cowbells clanking and a Kentucky-Derbyish announcer yelling in the background, history was made Saturday in South Lake Tahoe with the Women’s Amgen Tour of California wrapping up its second day. Leah Kirchmann of Canada, riding for Optum Pro Cycling, won the stage of the largest and first tour in the United States […]
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By Russ Parsons, Los Angeles Times The display at the Weiser Family Farms’ stand at the Santa Monica farmers market last weekend was sparse, even by early spring standards — potatoes, some green shallots and garlic, a little sprouting broccoli. The lilacs that signal the start of spring for many Southern Californians came and went […]
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By Kevin Freking, AP WASHINGTON — The head of the U.S. Forest Service warned Tuesday of an “above average” fire season that could cost the agency more than $1 billion and require shifting funds from programs designed to prevent wildfires. Tom Tidwell testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee that the fire season […]
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By Kathryn Reed Mother Nature teased Amgen Tour of California race officials Friday morning as temps hovered just above freezing and snow danced in the air. As the 11am start time got closer, the clouds parted to show blue sky and the requisite 45-degree mark had been reached. Eighty-two elite women racers left Heavenly Mountain […]
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By Jon Ortiz, Sacramento Bee California state government continues to struggle with plans for replenishing its aging workforce, according to a new report released Monday, chiefly because departments talk a good game but largely fail to follow through. Nearly 41 percent of state employees are age 50 or older, State Auditor Elaine Howle noted in […]
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By Kathryn Reed Pamela Knorr is proving to be a financial liability for her employers — aka the taxpayers. First it was Alpine County, now it is El Dorado County. On July 3, 2012, Knorr signed a five-year contract to be CAO of Alpine County at a rate of pay of $11,757 per month. She also received […]
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By Jason Blevins, Denver Post The snowless winter in California overwhelmed the snowy East to yield the ski resort industry’s second worst season in 16 years. Resorts across the U.S. saw visits fall to 53.6 million, according to a preliminary count by the National Ski Areas Association. While it wasn’t as bad as the 2011-12 season, […]
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By Kathryn Reed A skipper with 30 years of experience on Lake Tahoe was barely able to make it to shore safely on Wednesday because of the 4 to 8 foot waves. Mike Young of Incline Village left Obexer’s in Homewood about 2pm May 6 destined for Incline Village, but wound up at Camp Richardson […]
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